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The Cat Who... #17
The Cat Who Blew the Whistle
Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese sleuths, Koko and Yum Yum, investigate the disappearance of a wealthy railroad buff--and alleged multimillion-dollar embezzler--a case that becomes complicated by red herrings, a tragic train wreck, and murder at a railroad tavern.
311 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
241 people are currently reading
2197 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Jackson Braun
193 books1,714 followersLilian Jackson Braun was an American writer. She is well-known for her light-hearted series of The Cat Who... mystery novels. The Cat Who books center around the life of former newspaper reporter James Qwilleran, and his two Siamese cats, KoKo and Yum Yum in the fictitious small town of Pickax located in Moose County, "400 miles north of everywhere." Although never formally stated in the books, the towns, counties and lifestyles described in the series are generally accepted to be a modeled after Bad Axe, Michigan (located in the "Michigan Thumb") where she resided with her husband for many years until the mid 1980's. Many also believe that the culture and history of the Upper peninsula of Michigan are represented in the series as well, which is quite possible as it is indeed a fictitious location.
Lilian Jackson Braun began her writing career as a teenager, contributing sports poetry for the Detroit News. She later began working as an advertising copywriter for many of Detroit's department stores. After that stint, she worked at the Detroit Free Press as the "Good Living" editor for 30 years. She retired from the Free Press in 1978.
Between 1966 and 1968, she published three novels to critical acclaim: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern and The Cat Who Turned On and Off. In 1966, The New York Times labeled Braun, "the new detective of the year." The rising mystery author disappeared from the publishing scene for 18 years. The blame came from the fact that mystery novels were starting to focus on sex, violence, and foul language, and Braun's light-hearted books were not welcome in this new territory. It wasn't until 1986 that the Berkley Publishing Group reintroduced Braun to the public with the publication of an original paperback, The Cat Who Saw Red. Within two years, Berkeley released four new novels in paperback and reprinted the three mysteries from the sixties. Braun's series became an instant best seller once again. In January 2007 the twenty-ninth novel in the series, The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, was released in hardcover by the Penguin Group.
Not much was really known about Braun, as she prefered to keep her private life that way. For years, publishers have given inaccurate accounts of her year of birth, which has remained unknown until she openly acknowledged her age in an interview for the Detroit News in January 2005.
Lilian Jackson Braun began her writing career as a teenager, contributing sports poetry for the Detroit News. She later began working as an advertising copywriter for many of Detroit's department stores. After that stint, she worked at the Detroit Free Press as the "Good Living" editor for 30 years. She retired from the Free Press in 1978.
Between 1966 and 1968, she published three novels to critical acclaim: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern and The Cat Who Turned On and Off. In 1966, The New York Times labeled Braun, "the new detective of the year." The rising mystery author disappeared from the publishing scene for 18 years. The blame came from the fact that mystery novels were starting to focus on sex, violence, and foul language, and Braun's light-hearted books were not welcome in this new territory. It wasn't until 1986 that the Berkley Publishing Group reintroduced Braun to the public with the publication of an original paperback, The Cat Who Saw Red. Within two years, Berkeley released four new novels in paperback and reprinted the three mysteries from the sixties. Braun's series became an instant best seller once again. In January 2007 the twenty-ninth novel in the series, The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, was released in hardcover by the Penguin Group.
Not much was really known about Braun, as she prefered to keep her private life that way. For years, publishers have given inaccurate accounts of her year of birth, which has remained unknown until she openly acknowledged her age in an interview for the Detroit News in January 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
June 13, 2020
I had sworn off this series because they just became less and less likable, but when a yard sale was giving away the rest of their stuff, I grabbed this book.
Lesson learned. I will listen to myself the first time around from now on.
Unlikable protagonist, takes entirely too long for a murder to even happen, no excitement, no suspense, just blahly waiting for the book to be over. Never again.
Lesson learned. I will listen to myself the first time around from now on.
Unlikable protagonist, takes entirely too long for a murder to even happen, no excitement, no suspense, just blahly waiting for the book to be over. Never again.
April 7, 2020
Book Review
3+ out of 5 stars to The Cat Who Blew the Whistle, the 17th book in the "Cat Who" cozy mystery series, written in 1994 by Lilian Jackson Braun. I'm closing in on the final reviews for all these crazy cat books... I read them all in order... all 30+ of them from about 1998 until 2010. Now I'm writing the reviews... out of order... by order in which I remember them. And this one, tho I do recall some key parts revolving around a crazy train accident... it fell in the middle ground of likability in terms of the entire series. It had a decent plot... and good questions... like... does a train just have an accident on its own, or is it part of an elaborate scheme to bring someone down. And what if someone else associated with the train is murdered. Don't worry, KoKo is on the case -- he blew the whistle on the creep(s). Love the play on words. OK, enough filler... I unfortunately do not remember a ton about this particular book. What I do recall is that it follows the usual formula, has a couple of good new characters, the murderer is different than you'd expect in this type of a novel... and well... I need to hurry up and finish these Cat books. Right?
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
3+ out of 5 stars to The Cat Who Blew the Whistle, the 17th book in the "Cat Who" cozy mystery series, written in 1994 by Lilian Jackson Braun. I'm closing in on the final reviews for all these crazy cat books... I read them all in order... all 30+ of them from about 1998 until 2010. Now I'm writing the reviews... out of order... by order in which I remember them. And this one, tho I do recall some key parts revolving around a crazy train accident... it fell in the middle ground of likability in terms of the entire series. It had a decent plot... and good questions... like... does a train just have an accident on its own, or is it part of an elaborate scheme to bring someone down. And what if someone else associated with the train is murdered. Don't worry, KoKo is on the case -- he blew the whistle on the creep(s). Love the play on words. OK, enough filler... I unfortunately do not remember a ton about this particular book. What I do recall is that it follows the usual formula, has a couple of good new characters, the murderer is different than you'd expect in this type of a novel... and well... I need to hurry up and finish these Cat books. Right?
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
August 24, 2010
We read some of The Cat Who... books for our book group. Each member chose a different book and then gave a quick synopsis without giving away the mysterious killer. Here is my synopsis in poem form. I know I'm not a poet, but thought I'd do something different.
Jim Qwilleran and two Siamese cats live in an octagonal barn
Koko the cat is smarter than anything you or I could learn
Floyd Trevelyan owns a credit union but launches his party train instead
Then disappears and could he be dead
A cheapskate and tyrant Trevelyan has been
To his wife and children, other family and friends
Auditors come to his credit union and accuse Trevelyan of theft
And all the depositors are bereft
Who alerted the auditors of Floyds’s possible trespasses?
Certainly, no one comes forward and confesses
Floyd’s beautiful assistant, Nella, in Texas is found
And has no idea where Floyd may be bound
Polly is having a house built by, Eddie, Floyd Trevelyan’s son
His old friend and coworker, Benno, is stabbed in the dark, not shot with a gun
One night Eddie is grading Polly’s lot
And an owl attacks him on the spot
Qwill’s friend Celia comes from Florida and helps with the case
But he doesn’t tell Polly in case she goes into a jealous rage
The Pickaxe Players put on A Midsummer’s Night Dream
But instead of sprites and fairies they have men of green
About what has gone awry, Koko gives Qwill clues
But Qwill doesn’t understand and has the blues
Koko steals Qwill’s pens and does his dance of death,
Sets a vigil at the foyer window and sits amongst the decoys of ducks
For some reason on the concrete pad for Polly’s new garage, Koko likes to roll
And when he hears the name Hermia sets up a howl
Finally Qwill figures out Koko’s clues
Thus, on the culprit, Koko the cat the whistle he blew
Jim Qwilleran and two Siamese cats live in an octagonal barn
Koko the cat is smarter than anything you or I could learn
Floyd Trevelyan owns a credit union but launches his party train instead
Then disappears and could he be dead
A cheapskate and tyrant Trevelyan has been
To his wife and children, other family and friends
Auditors come to his credit union and accuse Trevelyan of theft
And all the depositors are bereft
Who alerted the auditors of Floyds’s possible trespasses?
Certainly, no one comes forward and confesses
Floyd’s beautiful assistant, Nella, in Texas is found
And has no idea where Floyd may be bound
Polly is having a house built by, Eddie, Floyd Trevelyan’s son
His old friend and coworker, Benno, is stabbed in the dark, not shot with a gun
One night Eddie is grading Polly’s lot
And an owl attacks him on the spot
Qwill’s friend Celia comes from Florida and helps with the case
But he doesn’t tell Polly in case she goes into a jealous rage
The Pickaxe Players put on A Midsummer’s Night Dream
But instead of sprites and fairies they have men of green
About what has gone awry, Koko gives Qwill clues
But Qwill doesn’t understand and has the blues
Koko steals Qwill’s pens and does his dance of death,
Sets a vigil at the foyer window and sits amongst the decoys of ducks
For some reason on the concrete pad for Polly’s new garage, Koko likes to roll
And when he hears the name Hermia sets up a howl
Finally Qwill figures out Koko’s clues
Thus, on the culprit, Koko the cat the whistle he blew
Read
June 2, 2019I don't really feel like writing a review of this one bc there are Cat Who's I enjoyed more and this one had plot and characterization facets that annoyed me, but I did want to come on here and protect my friends and followers by sending up a flare signal: the last few pages of this book come out of nowhere with surprise transmisogyny. I'm not even talking about transmisogyny stemming from actual trans representation, either.
September 1, 2018
In #17 ...Blew the Whistle, Qwill and the cats are fresh from their adventure on Breakfast Island and living in their actual home for a change. I noted in my review of #16 that Qwill was a real jerk, and it seems that even the author realized she took it too far because as this one opens, Qwill's character is given glowing reviews by various citizens of Moose County.
For a change of pace, Braun decides to make Polly the annoying one. We learn that she was named after Hippolyta from "A Midsummer's Night Dream," the latest production being put on by the Pickax drama club. (We also learn that Qwill's real first name is Merlin, so he goes by his middle name James, as any sensible person would.) Polly is having a house built on Qwill's property, near his converted apple barn. She proceeds to get all crazy and obsessed with it, which is totally understandable but not much fun to read about.
The builder of Polly's house is a young man whose family, the Trevelyans, once owned the property. His father is a wealthy man who owns a credit union and appears to have recently absconded with the money, leaving depositors high and dry.
Celia Robinson, who helped Qwill solve a murder in "...Went into the Closet," moves to Pickax and becomes his secret assistant again on this case. She befriends the widow and daughter of the missing man, and reports back to Qwill on the tidbits of information she gathers, which ultimately helps Qwill crack the case.
Unfortunately, the solution to this mystery was ridiculous. I was disappointed, as it seemed out of character with the low key earlier novels.
Body Count: 5
Published: 1995
Preceded by: The Cat Who Came to Breakfast
Next up: The Cat Who Said Cheese
For a change of pace, Braun decides to make Polly the annoying one. We learn that she was named after Hippolyta from "A Midsummer's Night Dream," the latest production being put on by the Pickax drama club. (We also learn that Qwill's real first name is Merlin, so he goes by his middle name James, as any sensible person would.) Polly is having a house built on Qwill's property, near his converted apple barn. She proceeds to get all crazy and obsessed with it, which is totally understandable but not much fun to read about.
The builder of Polly's house is a young man whose family, the Trevelyans, once owned the property. His father is a wealthy man who owns a credit union and appears to have recently absconded with the money, leaving depositors high and dry.
Celia Robinson, who helped Qwill solve a murder in "...Went into the Closet," moves to Pickax and becomes his secret assistant again on this case. She befriends the widow and daughter of the missing man, and reports back to Qwill on the tidbits of information she gathers, which ultimately helps Qwill crack the case.
Unfortunately, the solution to this mystery was ridiculous. I was disappointed, as it seemed out of character with the low key earlier novels.
Body Count: 5
Published: 1995
Preceded by: The Cat Who Came to Breakfast
Next up: The Cat Who Said Cheese
October 9, 2014
It's hardly worth commenting on individual titles in this series--if you are a fan you will find each book to have the same comforting qualities, familiar characters, and decent mystery plotting. The contributions of reporter James Qwillerin's feline friends were somewhat less integral than they are in other books, with the bulk of the assistance coming from a new human accomplice. The narrative found a way to include most of my favorite denizen's of Pickax as well as the drama club. I'm surprised this series has not been adapted into a TV series, though perhaps its homey, quaint, Murder-she-wrote-esque charms would be out of place today
September 26, 2019
All I can say is..I LOVE THESE BOOKS. They always keep me guessing til the end on who did it. This one was no exception. Qwill and the cats are on the case once again, and there money, death and concrete involved. If you liked any of the Cat Who Series, give this one a try. I think you will love it as much as I did.
May 5, 2023
This might be the best mystery series I ever read! Enjoying every book and highly recommend.
July 31, 2013
I picked up "The Cat Who Blew the Whistle" on tape to listen to on a long drive. What a mistake! Without exaggeration, this was one of the worst things I've ever read (or listened to). It made an already long car trip interminable. I wish I could give this book zero-stars because a one-star "did not like it" rating just doesn't do this book justice.
So why was it so bad?
First off, it was unbelevablly boring. The first two or three chapters are basically pointless. Charavters were introduced, the theme of trains was established, and a bit more took place. But that could have been a single chapter, not three. Then there is all the pages dedicated to "A Midsummer's Night Dream" play the town was putting on. The entire time I thought there was going to be a huge payoff with the play. Was there? Absolutely not! The only relevance is that a character's name in the play (Hermia) makes the cat go wild because it sounds like hermaphrodite and one of the villains is a hermaphrodite. That's it! They spent probably three chapters on this play and at the end there is a single paragraph about its relevance. So in a book with 16 or 17 chapters, 6 chapters were absolute filler. This book could have been AT LEAST 100 pages shorter without losing anything.
And about the villain. Throughout the book, the secretary is described as a stuningly beautiful woman. Not beautiful for a small town. But movie-star/model beautiful. At the end, Jim says the police should stop looking for beautiful woman and start looking for a man name Lionel who probably has a beard because he/she is a hermaphrodite. The readers is supposed to believe that a hermaphrodite capable of growing a beard and looking like a man is also a remarkably beautiful woman? Ridiculous.
And what happens to him/her? The cat blows the case wide open. We know where the body is hidden. We know who did it. Did they catch him/her? I don't know because the book just ends. Lilian Jackson Braun spends a third of the book on mindless dribble but can't even dedicate a page to the outcome of the case? The back of the book also promised us that the case would involve an "international investigation." Besides two people going to Switzerland (unrelated to the case really) and the main villain going to Texas, everything takes place in Moose County. There is nothing international about the investigation at all.
Lastly, this book fails to grab the reader's interest because the man who disappears isn't likeable. We barely meet him. Just a short interview by Jim where his answers are short yes or no replies. Why should I care that he is gone? I don't care if he stole money or was killed because he is a boring character whom I barely know. Main character Jim isn't exactly likeable either while Chilia is extremely boring. I was really hoping they would all die in a train wreck rather than solve the case.
To be fair, this is the 17th book in the series. Maybe if I had read the earlier ones first, I would have liked it more. But there is no chance of that happening. This book was just too bad. There is no way I am going to waste my time on earlier books that are likely only marginally better. I would not recommend this book to anyone other than as punishment.
So why was it so bad?
First off, it was unbelevablly boring. The first two or three chapters are basically pointless. Charavters were introduced, the theme of trains was established, and a bit more took place. But that could have been a single chapter, not three. Then there is all the pages dedicated to "A Midsummer's Night Dream" play the town was putting on. The entire time I thought there was going to be a huge payoff with the play. Was there? Absolutely not! The only relevance is that a character's name in the play (Hermia) makes the cat go wild because it sounds like hermaphrodite and one of the villains is a hermaphrodite. That's it! They spent probably three chapters on this play and at the end there is a single paragraph about its relevance. So in a book with 16 or 17 chapters, 6 chapters were absolute filler. This book could have been AT LEAST 100 pages shorter without losing anything.
And about the villain. Throughout the book, the secretary is described as a stuningly beautiful woman. Not beautiful for a small town. But movie-star/model beautiful. At the end, Jim says the police should stop looking for beautiful woman and start looking for a man name Lionel who probably has a beard because he/she is a hermaphrodite. The readers is supposed to believe that a hermaphrodite capable of growing a beard and looking like a man is also a remarkably beautiful woman? Ridiculous.
And what happens to him/her? The cat blows the case wide open. We know where the body is hidden. We know who did it. Did they catch him/her? I don't know because the book just ends. Lilian Jackson Braun spends a third of the book on mindless dribble but can't even dedicate a page to the outcome of the case? The back of the book also promised us that the case would involve an "international investigation." Besides two people going to Switzerland (unrelated to the case really) and the main villain going to Texas, everything takes place in Moose County. There is nothing international about the investigation at all.
Lastly, this book fails to grab the reader's interest because the man who disappears isn't likeable. We barely meet him. Just a short interview by Jim where his answers are short yes or no replies. Why should I care that he is gone? I don't care if he stole money or was killed because he is a boring character whom I barely know. Main character Jim isn't exactly likeable either while Chilia is extremely boring. I was really hoping they would all die in a train wreck rather than solve the case.
To be fair, this is the 17th book in the series. Maybe if I had read the earlier ones first, I would have liked it more. But there is no chance of that happening. This book was just too bad. There is no way I am going to waste my time on earlier books that are likely only marginally better. I would not recommend this book to anyone other than as punishment.
September 25, 2017
Second Read: It's been another age since I read them (collectively) again. I just love them and I had a huge reality check this week when I realized that I'm older than Qwill. That was a kick in the pants. Here he is the richest guy in his segment of the United States. I am a cat person and have an 18 year old cat named Frisco. So when he talks about Yum-Yum and Ko-Ko and their antics, I get quite a giggle about them. They have such talents in many ways. This one is about a train that they are regenerating so they can do on-board elegant dinners to passengers, they take a ride and return. I'd love to do something like that. There is a murder in this, and Polly has some health issues, but the story continues with the general cast of characters. Anyway it's a fun read. Recommend.
First Read: Been ages since I've read a Lilian Jackson Braun. My Mom and I just loved these, and I thought since she passed I'd read the rest. Guess not. Found this in the library, and it's like visiting old friend's and was tickled to be there. This isn't her best, but it still was fun to hear old Qwill, and especially his two Cats Koko and Yum Yum, two Siamese cats. We didn't have our cat when I was reading these quite often, so it brought quite a tickle. Recommend.
First Read: Been ages since I've read a Lilian Jackson Braun. My Mom and I just loved these, and I thought since she passed I'd read the rest. Guess not. Found this in the library, and it's like visiting old friend's and was tickled to be there. This isn't her best, but it still was fun to hear old Qwill, and especially his two Cats Koko and Yum Yum, two Siamese cats. We didn't have our cat when I was reading these quite often, so it brought quite a tickle. Recommend.
April 27, 2016
koko and qwill make the local police look inept
September 14, 2019
Suspense held to the last page. Amazing work, great mystery, curious journalist and lovable cats! What more do you need? Light and fun read despite mixed in conspiracy and secrets :3c
October 18, 2018
This book is especially enjoyable for those who love trains, the railroad scene, or model railroads, as there are lots of references. I was really enjoying trying to figure out who was guilty, who was not ... and then it sort of just ended, and I sort of felt like I just fell off a cliff. But, the solutions were all there, I just would have liked to see some of the loose ends tied up a bit better.
December 6, 2014
Qwill and the cats are back in their apple barn house in Pickax. Qwill and Polly attend a fundraising event which is a ride on a renovated train with a steam locomotive. It is a wonderful event. The day after the event, the man behind the event, Floyd Trevelyan, has disappeared with thousands of dollars from investors; his secretary is also missing. The investigation points its fingers at Floyd. Ko-ko, on the other hand, tries to make Qwill realize that their focus should be elsewhere.
Didn't enjoy this one as much as others in the series. Granted, all of them are light reading, but this one seemed to be contrived fluff. The suspense for me was what was happening in the relationship between Qwill and Polly and wondering if Polly was going to be worked out of the series with Celia's introduction.
Didn't enjoy this one as much as others in the series. Granted, all of them are light reading, but this one seemed to be contrived fluff. The suspense for me was what was happening in the relationship between Qwill and Polly and wondering if Polly was going to be worked out of the series with Celia's introduction.
May 26, 2017
I do so love these books. they're not very mysterious, but I really enjoy returning to the familiar characters. the ending on this one was QUITE a twist! and, as I've been noticing in this series, underneath the cozy elements (diners, cats, a drama club, a kilt tailor-made for Q, pyramid power), the story is very sad and dark.
June 21, 2016
I love all the Cat Who books, however this one took a little longer to grab my interest.
October 4, 2020
Rating 3.5 stars
I found all the towns people are a bit quirky but fun. Jim and the cats, Koko and Yumyum are just too funny but they solved the crime.
I found all the towns people are a bit quirky but fun. Jim and the cats, Koko and Yumyum are just too funny but they solved the crime.
April 21, 2023
Een gerestaureerde stoomtrein (die verder in het boek te weinig aandacht krijgt - althans voor de liefhebbers) vormt de achtergrond en unieke insteek voor dit boek met Koko en YumYum in de hoofdrollen. Jim Qwilleran, Qwill voor de vrienden, besteedt weer het grootste deel van het verhaal aan de nederige verzorging van de katten en het interpreteren van de cryptische (bovennatuurlijke?) boodschappen van Koko.
Een bekende uit het verleden, die toen ook al voor Qwill als spionne werkte, wordt naar Pickax gehaald om opnieuw voor hem te spioneren. Verder de ondertussen vaste cast van bewoners van Pickax en omgeving. Gelukkig heeft Lilian Jackson Braun al enige tijd de gewoonte opgegeven om telkens een belangrijk karakter uit een vorig boek te laten vermoorden of als moordenaar te onmaskeren. Dit gebeurt nog, geen detective zonder moordenaar en slachtoffer(s), maar het gaat wel om tot dusver nobele onbekenden.
Een belangrijke verhaallijn vormt de relatie tussen Qwill en de hoofdbibliothecaresse van Pickax, Polly, waar een koud dieptepunt wordt bereikt. Polly is na het vorige boek teruggekeerd met bouwplannen maar ondanks alle hulp loopt dat fout en gaat haar gezondheid en die van haar kat er gevaarlijk op achteruit.
Bijna traditioneel wordt er weer een toneelopvoering voorbereid en dit keer is het Midzomernachtsdroom, opnieuw van Shakespeare. Maar wel met een moderne insteek. Groene aliens in plaats van elfen. Belangrijk is ook het proberen inbrengen van een piramide in het stuk.
Zoals gewoonlijk fietst Braun rond de hete brij van de gevolgen van een aantal zaken. Het meest frappante is natuurlijk een miljoenenfraude bij een bank die als gevolg daarvan gesloten wordt (faillissement wordt niet meer behandeld, evenmin als de financiële catastrofes voor de bevolking), toch wel een aktueel thema.
Er is een heroïsche scene die jammer genoeg toch wat pathetisch overkomt namelijk de laatste rit van de Loc-9.
Een grote uil als moordenaar is natuurlijk wel origineel.
Een bekende uit het verleden, die toen ook al voor Qwill als spionne werkte, wordt naar Pickax gehaald om opnieuw voor hem te spioneren. Verder de ondertussen vaste cast van bewoners van Pickax en omgeving. Gelukkig heeft Lilian Jackson Braun al enige tijd de gewoonte opgegeven om telkens een belangrijk karakter uit een vorig boek te laten vermoorden of als moordenaar te onmaskeren. Dit gebeurt nog, geen detective zonder moordenaar en slachtoffer(s), maar het gaat wel om tot dusver nobele onbekenden.
Een belangrijke verhaallijn vormt de relatie tussen Qwill en de hoofdbibliothecaresse van Pickax, Polly, waar een koud dieptepunt wordt bereikt. Polly is na het vorige boek teruggekeerd met bouwplannen maar ondanks alle hulp loopt dat fout en gaat haar gezondheid en die van haar kat er gevaarlijk op achteruit.
Bijna traditioneel wordt er weer een toneelopvoering voorbereid en dit keer is het Midzomernachtsdroom, opnieuw van Shakespeare. Maar wel met een moderne insteek. Groene aliens in plaats van elfen. Belangrijk is ook het proberen inbrengen van een piramide in het stuk.
Zoals gewoonlijk fietst Braun rond de hete brij van de gevolgen van een aantal zaken. Het meest frappante is natuurlijk een miljoenenfraude bij een bank die als gevolg daarvan gesloten wordt (faillissement wordt niet meer behandeld, evenmin als de financiële catastrofes voor de bevolking), toch wel een aktueel thema.
Er is een heroïsche scene die jammer genoeg toch wat pathetisch overkomt namelijk de laatste rit van de Loc-9.
Een grote uil als moordenaar is natuurlijk wel origineel.
January 13, 2020
I am more than halfway through reading "The Cat Who..." Series and it never fails as a pick-me-up for an enjoyable reading adventure! If characters can be thought of as old friends then I simply love spending time with these old friends from Qwill to Polly Duncan to Arch Riker and his wife Mildred to Fran Brodie and her father Andrew Brodie to Dwight Somers and in more recent offerings Celia Robinson and that's only naming a few. And of course, top billing to the paws of furry friends, Koko (short for real name Kao K’o Kung) and Yum-Yum who cohabitate with Qwill and a special place in the heart for Polly's Bootsie.
Polly, Arch, and Chief of Police Andrew Brodie have dismissed Koko's superpowers to such an extent in the past that now Qwill doesn't even share Koko's communications. However Qwill and all faithful readers of the series know that in each novel in the series Koko communicates to Qwill in various ways to help Qwill solve the murder mystery of the hour. I love matching wits with Qwill to understand Koko's clues but too often to count I'm with Qwill in only understanding all of Koko's clues when the mystery has been solved. Until the series comes to a close, I'll keep trying to stay in step with Qwill. I can't imagine which series might ever compare...
Until my reading of this series comes to a close, I will once again be enchanted by the author's dedication...Dedicated to Earl Bettinger, the husband who...
Polly, Arch, and Chief of Police Andrew Brodie have dismissed Koko's superpowers to such an extent in the past that now Qwill doesn't even share Koko's communications. However Qwill and all faithful readers of the series know that in each novel in the series Koko communicates to Qwill in various ways to help Qwill solve the murder mystery of the hour. I love matching wits with Qwill to understand Koko's clues but too often to count I'm with Qwill in only understanding all of Koko's clues when the mystery has been solved. Until the series comes to a close, I'll keep trying to stay in step with Qwill. I can't imagine which series might ever compare...
Until my reading of this series comes to a close, I will once again be enchanted by the author's dedication...Dedicated to Earl Bettinger, the husband who...
June 25, 2018
Sometimes in your life, as much as you want to read, you just can't. Such was my case the last few months, dealing with a crisis and chaos. My mind longed for a book, but couldn't handle it. As the skies are finally calming and clearing, I needed something easy and comforting to read, a story to bring me happiness. So I reached for an old friend in the cat who series, which I was rereading for the third go round. Qwill and the cats made me smile, made me think, made me laugh and I was drawn back into the pickax community of friends and neighbors. If you like trains, railroads and an easy mystery, this story is for you.
October 14, 2019
Better than some of the installments in this series, but not enough to warrant 4 stars.
In this one, #17, a train enthusiast who also runs a S&L goes missing, as does the funds. And his secretary. Quill suspects something more is afoot, and he, with the cats help, investigates.
Qwill seems very easily irritated in this book. He's snapping at people right and left, he and Polly are strained, and he even yells at KoKo. Of course, KoKo knows what is going on, and the humans are too dense to figure it out....till the end. The bit with the secretary at the end is a bit of a stretch, but overall, more enjoyable of a read than others in the series.
In this one, #17, a train enthusiast who also runs a S&L goes missing, as does the funds. And his secretary. Quill suspects something more is afoot, and he, with the cats help, investigates.
Qwill seems very easily irritated in this book. He's snapping at people right and left, he and Polly are strained, and he even yells at KoKo. Of course, KoKo knows what is going on, and the humans are too dense to figure it out....till the end. The bit with the secretary at the end is a bit of a stretch, but overall, more enjoyable of a read than others in the series.
September 26, 2023
A perfectly fine installment, but not one of the better ones. Koko's 'clues' felt like more of a stretch than normal, and I got to the end and was a bit baffled by the resolution. Polly's anxiety also felt a bit shoehorned in. Did like Qwilleran's undercover investigative helper (whose name I've forgotten) coming to town. I'm sticking with fine, but not a favourite.
June 19, 2018
I have always loved these books, but most people threw shade at them as I was growing up, because they're a cosy mystery series. People don't see the appeal, but I love a mystery with solid characters.
September 20, 2022
These books are just getting weird now.
July 8, 2018
Delightful book great characters wonderful cats.
June 14, 2021
Weaker than average entry in the series.
September 20, 2021
I am a huge fan of this series.
Read
November 9, 2025Against my better judgement, I keep reading these books. They're bad but there is a comforting sameness about them, which I enjoy.
January 16, 2023
Starting the year gently
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